Defer Heaven alters strategy to win Claiming Crown Express

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – No lead, no problem for Defer Heaven, whose affinity for the Gulfstream Park main track helped carry him to a popular 1 3/4-length victory over Proper Freud in Saturday’s $110,000 Claiming Crown Express.

Defer Heaven, who has now won six of his seven starts at Gulfstream, had been on the lead after the first call in all seven of his previous wins this season. But jockey Emisael Jaramillo opted to rate Defer Heaven off the pace of Blings Express and Great Lou before circling three wide and readily drawing off through the stretch.

Proper Freud moved to within easy striking distance near midstretch but could not threaten the winner at the end.

The win was the second on the card for trainer Jorge Navarro and Jaramillo, who teamed up earlier to capture the Claiming Crown Rapid Transit with Shaft of Light.

Defer Heaven, a son of Defer owned by Monster Racing Stables, paid $6.80 after completing six furlongs in 1:09.77.

“[Jaramillo] knows him better than me; he made the right move,” said Navarro. “I told him to send, send, to make the lead. But he made the right choice. This horse has been training good, and he loves this track.”